Light in the Darkness

A Seed of Hope

I remember the first time I planted a seed and watched it grow. It was third grade and we planted a bean seed and kept track of its growth. It grew fast with a little water and light. That was magical to me, and I have always loved growing things. But that wasn’t the kind of seed planting Jesus spoke of in John 12:24-25. I love ‘The Message’ version which says “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.”

I’ve had trouble understanding that a seed would need to die in order to become a plant. A seed is full of the potential of life (and continues to be so) as it becomes a plant I thought! The problem, though, was with how I viewed the process. The seed is planted, it undergoes some sort of process (it varies a little bit on the plant type, but remains essentially the same), and then a sprout appears, and grows into a full-fledged plant. Can you dig up the plant, and find its seed down at the bottom, with 'plantybits' growing from its insides? No! It’s essentially died to itself! It ceases to be a seed in order for the plant to live, it can no longer find its identity in that of its old self, a seed.

That’s what Jesus is talking about here in a couple of ways. If we never plant spiritual seeds there is not a chance for people to grow and bear the fruit of the Spirit. In the same way, if we try to hold on to our life (the seed) just as it is–it dies. When we love Jesus “recklessly” we want to deny ourselves and give our life away, loving him and others more than ourselves–which results in his glory and our eternal life.

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it”. Mark 8:34-35.

Ask yourself how as a plant that was once a seed … are you still growing, bearing fruit, and planting seeds. Have you had any trouble in the growth process? If so, reach out to one of our pastors for help. We have a pastor on duty every day to take your call who wants to help you.

Deb Hill

by Deb Hill

Eternity in Their Hearts

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set
eternity in the hearts of men … Ecclesiastes 3:11

Several years ago I had the life-changing experience of reading the book entitled Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson. The author, a Canadian missionary and scholar, examined primitive groups from around the world and concluded God has prepared people to receive the message of Jesus Christ. While He specifically picked the Hebrew people with whom to reveal Himself, He also put this deep quest in all our hearts that says there is Something more! Richardson tells the story of Epimenides, an ancient prophet from Crete, who built an altar to ‘an unknown God’ in Athens, Greece. Later on, Paul would use it as a starting point to explain the Good News of Jesus Christ. Various groups around the world have in their culture story that they are waiting for a messenger who will bring them the holy book so they can be reconciled with God. In various cultural mythologies, there are often bridges to the story of redemption, like the Peace Child of the Sawi people in New Guinea which led them from being treacherous cannibals to followers of Christ. The sermon from John 12:12-26 this last Sunday prompted my recall of this book.

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip..with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew, and Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.” John 12:20-22

John may have mentioned their ethnicity because he knew that Jesus’ sacrifice was for Gentiles as well as Jews. These Greeks were probably what was called God-fearing and it was not surprising that they would want to attend the Passover feast. Why did they approach Philip? We don’t really know except that his name is Greek in origin, perhaps that gave them some familiarity. They must have heard about Jesus and perhaps had seen the Triumphal entry. But we do know that God had placed eternity in their hearts and they wanted to see Jesus.

The scriptures do not tell us if they actually saw or met Jesus face to face. We can only surmise about whether that occurred. Where John left this part of the story was with Philip and Andrew. In every instance, the message of the gospel needs Philips and Andrew to lead people to see Jesus. God has given us the unique humbling responsibility to be His messengers to lead people to see Jesus, to lead them to the deepest answers of their hearts. We don’t have to be Biblical scholars or have all the answers, we just need to be available to Him. My grandfather once wrote, “When people hear you talk, does it make them think about God? When people see how you act, does it make them think about God? When people see how you serve, does it make them think about God?”

And then, are you ready to tell how His story changed your story?

“How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news.”
Romans 10:15b

Reflect: As you think through the events of this story, why do you suppose John did not tell what happened with the Greeks? When you think about being a messenger of Good News, what is your reaction? How does it impact you to realize that God placed eternity in the hearts of everyone all over the world?

Francie Overstreet

by Francie Overstreet

Donkey King

Zechariah 9:9

Royalty travels in luxury. That’s just the way it works. Presidents and rulers have drivers, they fly on private planes, and they are escorted from one place to another in style. That’s the way it is - and that’s the way it has been. So, when Jesus called for a donkey as his vehicle for entering Jerusalem, the crowd must have been a bit taken aback. Sure, donkeys had been used by kings previously, but only when they wanted to make a very specific point.

The prophet Zechariah helps us understand the point Jesus is declaring as he’s carried in Jerusalem on the back of a colt. He wrote,

"Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a coly, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

HUMBLE. That’s the point. He comes in peace and for peace. A king on a donkey was akin to waving a white flag. He’s not going to pick up the sword and slay the Romans and he’s not going to overthrow Pilate. He’s going after bigger enemies - and he’s fighting the battle on an entirely different playing field; but in so doing, he’s not going to be the king the people are clamoring for.

Jesus is the Donkey King in a world built on horses, bloodshed, and dominance. He came into a warzone and instead of carrying a sword, he picked up a cross. Most of us who follow Jesus can look back on the Triumphal Entry and appreciate what Jesus did. We know the end of the story and that Jesus enters in peace to die for the sins of humanity.

However, what if he enters your life in the same way? I don’t know about you, but I want a God who’s going to come and defeat all my enemies for me. I want to paint the proverbial John 3:16 eye-black under my eyes knowing that God helps ME WIN. I want a God who convinces my wife that I’m right, my co-workers that my ideas are best, who makes my investments flourish, and who makes my endeavors prosper. What if he doesn’t come to help you “win” in the way you want him to? What if he still comes to defeat your bigger enemies?

Jesus is still the “Donkey King” and that means he still comes humbly - in peace and for peace. That’s the way he entered Jerusalem, and that’s the way he enters our lives as well. Can you receive this unexpected King? Take a moment and ask Jesus to open your eyes to the ways he is coming to you today.

Pastor Ryan Paulson

by Ryan Paulson

More than a Political King

Imagine living when Jesus walked this earth. Your knowledge of Scripture and stories from your ancestors told of a King who would someday come, conquer your enemies, and bring you and your loved ones freedom. You have seen prophecies fulfilled and understand that the Messiah will bring salvation; he will be an almighty King who will free you from political oppression. While much of the unrest that your people feel comes from within your own religious sects, everyone is aware that Rome holds the ultimate power and your hope lies in freedom from their grip.

You saw Jesus ride into Jerusalem as the crowds hailed, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. But he was riding a donkey!? Could this Jesus really be the King that you have been waiting for? He doesn’t quite fit what you expected. He seems humble and gentle, yet he doesn’t portray the physical characteristics and royal presence of a powerful King. Could he really conquer your enemies?

Then something stirs within you causing you to wonder if what you were longing for was merely political freedom. It’s all that people talk about. Everyone seems to have their opinion about who could be a good ruler and who could not. One political group seems to genuinely care about the welfare of people while another appears to be merely putting on a show. Is there any real benevolence in their hearts or is everyone just looking for power and control? These are the thoughts that cause you to wonder if there is something more to this life.

You see suffering all around you and you feel it within your own soul. You know your own heart has sinned against God and as much as you long for freedom from the influence of Rome, there is something even deeper within you that longs for freedom from your own selfish desires. What if your real enemies lie deep within your soul, influencing your thoughts, emotions, and decisions? What if this Jesus is more than a political King? What if he could free you from the tyranny of your bad choices, your lustful thoughts, your self-induced suffering? What if Jesus could free you from your sins? What if he could bring about healing? And hope? What if Jesus came not to free you from bondage here on this earth but to unshackle your chains and provide freedom for all eternity? What if Jesus came to give you life; abundant life that transcends your wildest dreams… and all this because he loves you.

Yes, Jesus is far more than a political King. He is your Savior. He is the lover of your soul. He is your Lord!

Lynette Fuson
Care & Counseling Director

by Lynette Fuson

"The Cover-up”

In a perfect world, upon learning Jesus of Nazareth had raised Lazarus from the grave in nearby Bethany, the chief priests and the Pharisees would have stopped in their tracks and reconsidered Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God. His latest miracle was undeniable and it took place just down the hill from Jerusalem, not in some remote location out of sight and out of mind. And far too many Jews that had witnessed it with their own eyes. It was front-page news!

Sadly, the reality is we live in a fallen world, so even after hearing about Lazarus the priests and Pharisees just doubled down in their opposition. They didn’t deny Jesus’ miracle; there were too many witnesses among the Jews to deny it! The priests and Pharisees simply decided to cover up the evidence - to sweep it under a rug! They weren’t interested in the truth. They had a political agenda focused on keeping their own power over the religious order in Judaism and also keeping the Romans (at least for the time being) as an unholy ally for the Jewish nation.

As ugly as their behavior seems, it shouldn’t surprise us. We know there are examples throughout history of those “in power” constructing false narratives that will keep them in power. That often includes lies, cover-ups and suppressing the truth. The chief priests and Pharisees knew Jesus was working great miracles, but they decided to cover up the truth by eliminating the evidence! A living Lazarus was the power of God personified; living proof that Jesus was a miracle worker sent from God. The priests and Pharisees couldn’t deal with that. According to John 12:10, they began plotting to kill Lazarus because on account of him, many Jews believed in Jesus!

As far as we know, the Jews never did succeed in their plans to assassinate Lazarus, but within one week’s time that same spirit of darkness motivated a large crowd to gather before their Roman governor and cry out for the death of the miracle worker himself. The priests and Pharisees believed at first they had succeeded, but their belief was shattered three days later when they learned the miracle worker himself had also risen from the grave!

One great lesson from this story is that truth will surface in the end. In spite of evil efforts to cover up the truth, God’s word declares “Nothing is hidden…that will not be known and come to light.” (Lk. 8:17)

Pastor Dave Korinek

by Dave Korinek

Leave Her Alone!

I have a little dog. She is a kind of chihuahua that is between 15 and 18 pounds and has bug eyes and a curled tail. Sometimes, when walking her in the park, dog owners that have normal full size dogs will walk by and say, “Leave it!” to their pets. What they mean is, leave that dog alone. Ignore that one. That is not your toy or your snack, keep walking. I appreciate when other pet owners take responsibility for their pets and don’t let them abuse smaller pets just because they could.

Jesus spoke up to protect Lazarus’ sister Mary from a bigger dog that barked at her while she prepared Jesus’ feet for the week of trails and torture ahead. It was Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In just five nights, that same big dog would bite Jesus’ back and then lick him on the cheek.

Before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, and before all the commotion of that week, Mary tended to Jesus’ feet in an act of love and preparation for death.

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. John 12:3-7.
Jesus defends Mary from the wolf’s attack and in that process, explains that Mary was the one paying the closest attention. In the preceding chapters of the book of John, Jesus explained that he would die:

John 2:19, 21 “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

John 3:14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

John 7:33-34 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.”

John 8:21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”

John 8:28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:15 “just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

John 10:17 “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”

Jesus’ other disciples didn’t seem to notice what was coming the way Mary noticed. She kept that perfume to prepare his body for death and burial. The Greek word for keep, téreó, means she guarded it and protected it and she saved it for that special time. I’ve never imagined Jesus’ feet and body smelling nice during his torture and crucifixion, but Mary annointed him so they would.

Jesus spoke up to protect Mary because she was keenly aware of what was coming even when Jesus’ other disciples didn’t see. Believers’ lives look like that because they see and treat the people, events, and their time, talent, and treasures differently than the world does. Are you currently doing anything that some say is a waste, but you know has eternal meaning?

Pastor John Riley

by John Riley

“M & M’s” and the Glory of God

The multi-colored candy-coated chocolate pieces called ‘m & m’s” are a favorite of mine. I am not a fan of the peanut or caramel varieties; I am a purist when it comes to that candy. The reason I bring them up in this devotional is because a dear friend of mine once used them in a devotional she taught decades ago to a woman’s Bible Study group. She handed them out because “they melt in your mouth, not in your hand.” She was teaching about Mary and Martha, thus “m & m.” It continues to remind me of this first story from Luke 10: 38-42 in which Martha “distracted by all the preparations to be made” was upset that her sister was not helping and Mary was just sitting at Jesus’ feet listening. She complained about it to Him, and, in His gentle response, He reminded her that her many distractions caused her to miss the one important thing, being with Him.

In John 12:1-7, there is a similar scene in the home of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus, who had recently been raised from the dead. This dinner, being in honor of Jesus, was being served by Martha and it looks as if Mary is not helping again. However, Martha says nothing about it, and sees her sister worshiping Jesus as she poured the fragrant oil on his feet and wiped them with her hair. As the perfume filled the air, I believe Martha loved seeing Mary worship the Lord in this extravagant gift. Why is this so different? Because the focus, the one important thing, was the worship and love for the Lord.

People have often categorized themselves as a Martha type, a doer, or a Mary type, a contemplative. They are both ways of worshiping and loving the Lord, but we can be both. I think Brother Lawrence in the Christian classic, Practicing the Presence of God, helps us understand how to live being both! This barefooted Carmelite lay brother began working as a cook in the monastery in Paris in about 1666. He continued for the next 30 plus years to work among the pots and pans, determined to live each day that “he might perform all his actions for the love of God.” This humble, uneducated doer was also a contemplative. “The time of business,” he said, “does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several people are at the same time calling different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”

The verse that comes to mind as this devotional comes to a close is:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31

Reflection: Take a few moments to slowly repeat I Corinthians 10:31 and emphasize the words ‘whatever’ and ‘to the glory of God.’ How would your day differ if this is the way the Lord wants you to love Him? (And perhaps get some ‘m & m’s’ as a reminder! 😊)

Francie Overstreet

by Francie Overstreet

What Do You Treasure?

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3-4

Jesus was invited to a dinner in his honor at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. We know Martha was busy making a special dinner, but we see Mary welcoming Jesus by washing his feet, not with soap and water, but with a pound of Nard a very expensive perfume or essential oil made from spikenard. Considering how much spikenard cost, this was an enormous amount for Mary to use to anoint Jesus’ feet. In fact, Judas Iscariot indignantly asked Jesus, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” (spoiler alert: Judas didn’t care about the poor). The Greek word for a “pence” is denarius. In that day, a Roman denarius was one day’s salary. So when Judas announced that the spikenard could have been sold for three hundred pence, he was saying that Mary’s perfume was worth three hundred days of salary. That is why I say it was an extremely expensive gift! It was worth almost an entire year’s income!

You see, no other feet in the entire world were more beautiful to Mary than the feet of Jesus. Jesus had changed her life. Jesus brought her brother back from the dead Jesus brought new meaning into her family. To Mary, every step Jesus took was precious, honored, and greatly valued. In the days of the New Testament, a woman’s hair represented her glory and honor. So not only did she annoint his feet with very expensive perfumed oil, but she also dried his feet with her own glory–her beautiful hair. She surrendered two things of value to her–she surrendered her glory for his.

Remember, Jesus taught, “…Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34). Mary’s actions revealed her heart as she poured her most valuable treasure onto the feet of Jesus and then used her hair to dry them. She deeply loved Jesus, and she showed it with the gift that she brought to Him. She honored him extravagantly! 1 Peter 5:4 tells us that when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. So, while we are called to bring him glory and honor and praise, we are also promised a crown of glory when Jesus returns that will never tarnish or fade away. Wow! What a promise to look forward to besides the majesty of his triumphant return. In this day when the news is mostly sad or bad, the hope that we have in Jesus can fill our hearts with gratitude and joyful praise. Reflect on these … How is your heart feeling today? Where is your treasure?

Blessings to you,
Deb Hill

by Deb Hill

Genuine Worship is Weird

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
John 12:3

If we hadn’t heard this story before and were actually there partaking in the meal with them, we might feel tense at the abnormal display. So much of our comfort is rooted in what we find familiar. Sure, we appreciate some variety in controlled scenarios, but we love the familiar. While foot washing was customary for the time, using such a scented ointment and anointing his feet as dramatically as Mary did was weird and probably made some onlookers squirm uncomfortably. Judas potentially was the least engaged in the meaning of the events transpiring, so he was the one prodded into protesting.

In precious moments of private worship, we simply respond to some fantastic aspect of God. Just a person to his Maker. The thought of others observing us is immaterial. I, myself, sing to the Lord. Trust me, I can’t sing. But sometimes only a song will do! It comes out of me like water from a fountain. I’m only aware of him and him receiving me. Having an audience would shatter that for me. I am terrified of people hearing me. Mary, on the other hand, wants people to witness this lavish demonstration of costly adoration.

King David dances in his underwear in front of his people without context; that one will always be weird. David danced because of his joy in God's goodness to him and to celebrate God's presence with him. This leaves us with an expansive precedent about what worship truly is. In a word, it’s dynamic! It changes from person to person. It’s an expression of who a person is, but it’s also an expression of who God is to receive it.

You can worship effectively without taking off your clothes :) It’s just kinda weird. I’m sure it was just perfect for King David to do at the time before God. God received it though right? Worship has consequences… Mary no longer had 300 denarii and King David was chewed out by his wife.

Corporate worship is beautiful and grand, but individual worship is weird and awesome. So worship your God, dear reader. Worship in a nuanced way that fits your walk with God and it might be a little weird for those who don’t get it. Who cares! We’re worshiping God, not man. Jesus accepted and even defended Mary’s worship, He’ll do the same for us.

Jonathan Duncan

by Jonathan Duncan